Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (13 March 2023)

Current Affairs MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams

Date: 13 March 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to India- U.S. relation:

1. India has always had a trade surplus with the US.
2. China is India’s largest trading partner in 2022 followed by US.
3. India and US have signed all four agreements that cover areas of Military Information, Logistics exchange, compatibility, and security between them.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 Only
b) 2 and 3 Only
c) 1 and 3 Only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • India has always had a trade surplus (exports exceeding imports) with the US. The trade surplus has widened from USD 5.2 billion in 2001-02 to USD 17.3 billion in 2019-20. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  • The US becoming India’s largest trading partner in 2022 followed by China. Hence, Statement 2 is incorrect.
  • India and US have signed all four agreements that cover areas of Military Information, Logistics exchange, compatibility, and security between them including the GSOMIA (a military information agreement), LEMOA (logistics exchange agreement) COMCASA (communications security agreement), BECA(Basic Exchange Cooperation Agreement). Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Q2. Which of the following statements about AUKUS is/are correct?

1. AUKUS is a partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
2. The main focus of AUKUS is to provide short-term economic assistance to developing countries.

Choose the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • AUKUS is a new security partnership announced in September 2021 between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Therefore, statement 1 is correct.
  • Its main focus is to enhance security and defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, including cooperation on defence technology and cyber security. However, statement 2 is incorrect as the main focus of AUKUS is not to provide short-term economic assistance to developing countries.

Q3. Consider the following statements about The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):

1. It is an autonomous body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
2. It does not regulate the labeling and packaging of food products.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Statement 1 is correct.
  • Apart from setting standards, FSSAI also regulates the labeling and packaging of food products to ensure that they provide consumers with accurate and useful information about the contents of the package. Statement 2 is Not correct

Q4. With reference to India, consider the following statements.

1. Trade in Virtual digital assets falls under the ambit of PMLA.
2. Trade in Cryptocurrencies is banned in India.
3. The PMLA empowered the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to control money laundering, confiscate property, and punish offenders.

Select the correct statements.

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • The Finance Ministry has tweaked the anti-money laundering law (PMLA) by bringing cryptocurrencies and other virtual digital assets trade under the ambit.
  • Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • Trade in Cryptocurrencies is allowed in India.
  • Therefore, statement 2 is NOT correct.
  • Under Section 5 and 8(4) of the PMLA, the ED has discretionary powers to search and seize suspected property without any judicial permission.
  • So, statement 3 is also correct.

Q5. What is Safe Harbour under Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000?

a) Legal immunity that online intermediaries enjoy against content posted by users on their platforms.
b) A requirement for online intermediaries to censor content without any restrictions.
c) A law that governs the use of social media platforms by users.
d) A requirement for online intermediaries to report all user content to the government or courts.

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

What Is ‘Safe Harbour’?

  • Safe harbour – as prescribed under Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000 – is legal immunity that online intermediaries enjoy against content posted by users on their platforms. (Hence option A is correct).
  • This is available as long as these platforms abide by certain due diligence requirements, such as censoring content when asked by the government or courts.
  • The concept originally came from Section 230 of the United States’ Communications Decency Act, which has been termed “one of the foundational laws behind the modern Internet”:
  • It is one of the main reasons behind the meteoric rise of Internet giants such as Facebook that have defined the Web 2.0 era where users can post content on the internet. Tech experts believe that safe harbour is a crucial tenet for ensuring free speech on the Internet since platforms only have to act on speech that is deemed illegal